Clasp.



T. Z. MALLY.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. 1913.

Patented June 5, 1917.

N FIQ.

TADEUSZ Z. MALLY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE PLAMONDON, OF

WHEATON, ILLINOIS; ALFRED D. PLAMON DON EXEGUTOR 0F SAID GEORGE PLAMON- DON, DECEASED.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TADEUSZ Z. MALLY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clasps intended for use more particularly in connection with garters and especially for use in connection with garter clasps used with ladies garters.

The invention is shown herein as applied to the particular type of clasp illustrated in an application heretofore filed by Clarence E. Mehlhope on the 29th day of November 1912, Serial No. 733,982.

The invention consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view representing a clasp provided with my improvements attached to the elastic of a ladys garter in a familiar manner.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the clasp on an exaggerated scale.

Fig. 3 is a View representing a vertical section through Fig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line 33 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a View representing a transverse section through Fig. 2 in a plane indicated by the line 1- 1 thereof.

Fig. 5 is a view representing a detail per spective view of the end or rather the lip on the rigid back-member of the clasp.

Referring now to that embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, 10 indicates the back-member of the clasp which is bent at its lower end to form a lip 11. 12 indicates the toggle-jointed latch member comprising an upper arm 13 and a lower arm 14:. 15 indicates a loop which provides the means for hinging the two clasp members together so thatjthey may cooperate together to perform their intended function and also the means for attaching the clasp to the elastic 16, forming part of the supporter and connected in a familiar manner to a corset, (not shown).

The loop 15, as shown, comprises an upper integral transverse member 17 lateral members 18, 1S and a bottom divided transverse member 19.

As shown herein, one of the two parts of the bottom transverse member 19 is bent to form a trigger 20 which extends into the space between the upper toggle-arm 13 and the back member 10 of the clasp. The lateral members 18 are bent toward each other as indicated at 18 and are then bent at right angles to form parallel spaced members 19 19 which are directly connected to the divided parts of the lower transverse member 19. The loop is formed in this way so as to provide a comparatively long upper transverse member for the attachment of the elastic and a considerably shorter lower transverse member for the formation of the pintle of the hinge connecting the clasp members which are comparatively narrow when the width of the elastic is considered. The parallel, laterally spaced members 19 of the loop are connected together by a bar 21 which is bent at its ends to form eyes 22, 22 to receive the members 19 19*. This construction rigidly connects the parts of the loop together adjacent the place where the ends of the loop meet and thus strengthens the loop at its weakest point. The importance of this feature of the construction is apparent when it is remembered that in the use of garter clasps in connection with supporters used by women, a great strain is placed upon the loop which is necessarily made of light wire and of comparatively large lateral spread in order to accommodate the width of the elastic and the breaking or distortion of the loop due to the strain placed upon it is one of the objectionable features of garter clasps as heretofore constructed, since when the loop is broken or distorted, it is usually necessary to replace not only the clasp, but also the entire supporter.

The bar 21, constructed and arranged as above described, also provides in a clasp having a metal back, as in thevcase of the toggle-jointed clasp shown herein, means for the attachment of a cloth backing to pre vent the metal of the back from coming into contact with the skin of the wearer. As illustrated the lip 11 of the back-member is provided with a slot 23 just below its upper edge, and a strip or band of fabric of any suitable kind, 24, has one end passed over the upper end of the lip and through the slot 23 and then part way up against the rear face of the back-member 10, as indicated at 25, this being a familiar construction. Said band 24 is then carried up in contact with the back-member and above, forward and under the bar 21; the end 26 thus threaded about the bar 21 is then drawn taut and interposed between the rear face of the backmember and the main body of the band 24: to which it is stitchedas indicated at 27. The cloth backing is thus securely attached in place to the rear face of the back-clasp member. I

I claim as my invention 1. In a clasp, the combination of a back member, of alocking member, and of aloop member by means of which said clasp members are operatively hinged together, said loop member comprising a single wire bent to form an upper, integral transverse member, a lower transverse member, which is divided between its ends into two parts, and lateral members connecting said transverse members, the parts of, the lower transverse member providing the pintle for the hinge connection betweenthe two clasp members, one of said parts including a triggeradapted rigidly connect said lateral members.

2. In a clasp, the combination of a back member, of a locking member, and of a loop member by means of which said clasp memhere are operatively hinged together, said loop member comprising a single wire bent to form an upper, integral transverse member, a lower, divided transverse member, and lateral members connecting said transverse members, the divided lower member providing the pintle for the hinge connection between the two clasp members, a bar spaced above the lower transverse member and acting to rigidly connect said lateral members, and a flexible backing strip connected at its lower end to the bottom of the back member of the clasp and being engaged at its upper end about said bar.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this eth day of April, A. D. 1913.

TADEUSZ Z. MALLY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. WILKINS, KARL W'. DOLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

